The Razer BlackWidow Chroma, reviewed here, looks to be a decent mechanical RGB keyboard. But I'd go with the Corsair STRAFE RGB, reviewed here, as I'd much prefer genuine Cherry MX switches over the proprietary switches in the Razer keyboard.

"Under democracy one party always devotes its chief energies to trying to prove that the other party is unfit to rule - and both commonly succeed, and are right." -- H. L. Mencken

I will add a second recommendation for Corsair keyboards and for the Cherry MX switches. The RGB line is great, with a variety of models depending on how much you want to spend for features. I got one for Christmas, and I have never owned a better keyboard. I like it enough that I can't see myself going anywhere other than Corsair if I ever need another.

Ive owned and used hard the Razer Chroma Blackwidow Stealth since 2014. It was expensive yes but no trouble from it. Its the quiet model of the keyboard. Uses their own orange mechanical switches. I love mine. I also hear good stuff on Corsair and other Corsair stuff Ive owned has always been high quality...never had a KB though.

Really depends on the switch type you choose as far as price goes. MX is always behind on production and I think they do it on purpose. Another reason I got something besides them.

Newegg CA has them from $179 - $245 ....its the reds that cost so much.

If you're worried about switches then these Razer ones have been out for years and theres plenty of reviews and chats online to view. I think my orange ones are like reds in mx..or was it brown? ..been too long since I researched lol.

Daehawk wrote:Really depends on the switch type you choose as far as price goes. MX is always behind on production and I think they do it on purpose. Another reason I got something besides them.

Newegg CA has them from $179 - $245 ....its the reds that cost so much.

If you're worried about switches then these Razer ones have been out for years and theres plenty of reviews and chats online to view. I think my orange ones are like reds in mx..or was it brown? ..been too long since I researched lol.

Thanks to you too Daehawk. The browns are the "tactile" ones, if that helps. Blacks are the old heavy press ones and the reds are the latest soft touch ones. I don't remember what the details are on the blues.

"The world is suffering more today from the good people who want to mind other men's business than it is from the bad people who are willing to let everybody look after their own individual affairs." - Clarence Darrow

You really do want to be careful with your switch picks, by the way. Some of them are really, really 'clicky', which is fine if you like that, but a pain if you don't want your gaming area to sound like a 60s typing pool (I have the MX Red, by the way, which are the quiet ones.)

I use a Razer. I wanted to try out a mechanical. So I watched Woot. Razer was the first one on sale.

It's a bit loud, but I don't really have a problem with it. It's held up great. Even recovered from having something spilled on it. I guess my opinion might change if I had to do a ton of key-hitting in my games. But normally it isn't an issue.

The lighting patterns is one area where i see the Corsair beats my Razer. I dont care to make my own and Ive seen some nice patterns in videos for the Corsair. The default I have out of the 6 or 7 I have I just like one and its where they slowly cycle through all colors over time. But at least I finally got back lighting I always wanted...BRIGHT. These things positively glow. The two Logitech KBs I have SUCK ASS in how dim and useless they are.

GreenGoo wrote:So...I have a razer mouse. I love it. I don't love the price tag, but it's a great mouse.

I'm thinking about splurging on a fancy keyboard. It has to work, of course, but after that, if it looks pretty, that would be cool, too.

Anyone have any experience with Razer keyboards?

My experience with Razer keyboard (old Razer Anansi) is that I don't need a fancy keyboard.

Since I bought it several years ago until now, I haven't used the macro function at all. So it is for me just a keyboard with backlight that can change color.

The macro function turned out to be a problem with my 18 months daughter which like to smash keys and accidentally enable the macro record function and assign the macro to random keys which I need to fix everytime she does that. Now I just shutdown Razer's software to prevent that.

GreenGoo wrote:So...I have a razer mouse. I love it. I don't love the price tag, but it's a great mouse.

I'm thinking about splurging on a fancy keyboard. It has to work, of course, but after that, if it looks pretty, that would be cool, too.

Anyone have any experience with Razer keyboards?

I've got two Razer Naga Chroma mice (one was a freebie due to a botched return issue from Razer, the other I purchased afterwards -- 12 side buttons = exceptional CAD experience at work) and one Razer BlackWidow Chroma keyboard. The keyboard is just the right amount of clicky for me. I like the backlit keyboard a lot, but the rainbow colors on the individual key level is a gimmick I don't much take advantage of. The Razer software is relatively benign.

Razer products are at least 50% too expensive. i did get a Naga mouse on clearance and it's fine for that price - i do like the responsiveness and the button-click action (especially on the side buttons).

Razer is a gaming company, and before 2014 they used Cherry switches (from Germany) and people just view them as niche products. Before them mechanical keyboards were even more niche. In 2014 they switched to a different OEM in China and also switched to their own "Razer" branded switches made by Kaihua of China (who makes Kailh switches, Cherry clones) and due to the OEM their quality took a nose dive. Stuff started dying in less than a year. They changed OEMs again but their reputation never recovered among the keyboard enthusiasts. However, their marketing engine worked well and they cultivated a new market of gamers who demand their products. And they do really push features like RGB (Chroma) backlights, programmable keys, as well as their unique identity.

Razer is NOT well-regarded by the keyboard enthusiast community due to 1) their gami-ness, 2) their non-standard key layout 3) their earlier reputation problems. Their reliability problem seem to be solved, and their switch is now also made by Greetech of Taiwan (apparently Razer maintains control of assembly line at their switch OEMs, so they can use anybody they want).

Do keep in mind that keyboard enthusiasts would emphasize key feel (which depends on the switch used and the actual key material) over key looks (font, shape/profile, backlight, overall case design), which may not be your aesthetic.

Keyboard enthusiasts often build their own board, but if you want a nice RGB capable board, the common go-to board is Coolermaster Masterkey L for about $170. This just came out a few months ago, does not look too gami-sh, and is nice and bright RGB with a lot of lighting modes and other tricks, while using genuine Cherry switches.

If you need other recommendations, specify your use and requirements. (Size? Color? Noise tolerance? Lighting? Ever switch keycaps? How hard do you type? Etc.)

I'm looking at getting a new keyboard. I'll be using it mostly for typing, partially for gaming. I need quiet as much as possible, knowing that some noise is always going to be present regardless. I touch type, and I'm very light on the keys, not a button masher. I want a normal keyboard, don't need lights/extra function keys/programmability. The key layout needs to be standard.

I've done a bit of research, watched Youtube videos too. My issues are: all the Cherry MX switches sound equally loud to me, as in even the 'quiet' ones are ridiculously loud. Mechanical keyboards without frills cost basically the same as no frills keyboards. So why would anyone buy a no frills keyboard if you aren't saving any money?

At this point I'm think Cherry red with O rings is probably my best bet. I like the look of Ducky keyboards. Any ideas where I should go from here? Budget <$150

Or maybe I should just get a $10 Logitech office keyboard like I always do?

On Youtube I saw a Red Dragon keyboard with chiclet keys, what are those keys like? It was dead quiet but I don't know that I could live with those kinds of keys on a daily basis.

There are Chinese clone keyboards with their clone of Topre switches, esp. by "Plum" or "Royal Kludge", but they are rarely seen in the US. You practically have to order them from China through a vendor on Aliexpress.com or Banggood or such.

So it's time for a little retail therapy. You know, buy a new toy to make yourself feel better. I'm thinking keyboard or 2nd monitor or both. I click on AB's link above and it takes me to amazon.ca page where the list price is $293 canadian. I'm like, wtf, that can't be right, so I click the american link. $139.

Huh. There must be a supply issue or something up here, because the Canadian price is insane.

edit: A closer look seems like the above link now goes to the the 227 key keyboard. Still crazy, but now I know I'm not comparing apples and apples.
Actually I don't know the different yet, but different model numbers. CH-9000094-NA vs CH-9000227-NA

There is a CH-9000092-NA listed at NCIX. I should probably figure out what I'm buying before I buy it.

K95 RGB or K70 Lux RGB. The main difference between the two models is the extra rows of custom keys on the left.

The Lux is superior to the regular RGB with slightly smoother lighting and the ability to use the lighting profiles when plugged into a computer without the Corsair software installed, but if that doesn't matter to you, then you could just get the regular K70 RGB, too.

If you really want to get yourself a treat, their MM300 is the best mousepad I've ever owned.

I'm not sure I'm at the led mousepad stage yet, but I didn't even know they existed, so thanks for bringing it to my attention.

I'm reading the details of the keyboards, but I'm not 100% sure what the difference is. Also, AB recommended the STRAFE model, which I also don't understand what is different between all the models, since they all seem to be RGB cherry red switches.

Looks like CH-9000227-NA is the model AB was talking about, which is about $200 (~$153 US) with a 2 week wait from NCIX.

Now if I understood the differences between the gaming K95, K70 LUX and the STRAFE models, I could make a choice.

GreenGoo wrote:
I'm reading the details of the keyboards, but I'm not 100% sure what the difference is. Also, AB recommended the STRAFE model, which I also don't understand what is different between all the models, since they all seem to be RGB cherry red switches.

The only real difference between the two I linked is the extra programmable keys along the side.

The Strafe RGB is a good model, too. Comparing the two is largely a matter of preference.

~Strafe has USB passthrough, K70 does not.
~Strafe has a plastic frame, K70 is aircraft aluminum.
~Different keyboard fonts.
~Strafe does not have multimedia keys (mute, volume wheel), K70 does (and they're good quality for once.)
~Strafe (from what I've read) has slightly brighter ligting due to a white background.

GreenGoo wrote:
I'm not sure I'm at the led mousepad stage yet, but I didn't even know they existed, so thanks for bringing it to my attention.

The STRAFE model is about 13 US bucks more expensive at NCIX than on amazon US. It's the sort of premium we've been paying my whole life. They charge it because they can, and we pay it because we haven't had a lot of choice in the past.

I'm pretty much settled on a corsair. Allowing myself to spend the money is 1/2 the therapy.

Oh, and in case it comes up, some Corsair products have two different model numbers for the same model. The difference? Different logos. There was a bit of a kerfuffle a while back when Corsair changed their logo from a sailing ship to a sort of tribal tattoo looking logo. People hated it so much that they changed it back to a slightly more stylized version of the sails, and to keep people happy they let the die-hard fans ensure that they didn't get the 'tramp stamp' version.

Oh, and when you get your keyboard in, you'll want to browse this link.

/edit - not much there right now. I'm reading that they just released CUE 2 (Corsair Utility Engine - their lighting/key programming utility), updating from CUE 1. This broke most of the old profiles, and all of the authors are scrambling to update theirs to CUE 2. Normally this is where you go to get the really nice custom lighting profiles. I'm sure it will be repopulated soon.